Preserving-case



( N o M o a e 1 2 s h e e n s s h e e n 1 I.

H. D. STREATOR. y

PRESBRVING CASE.

Patented Apr.' 17, 1894.

' (No M'ael.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

H. D. STRE-ATOR. PRESBRVING OASE.

No. 518,286. Patented Apr. 17, 1894.`

Wim-155555 THE NAYIONAL LIYNeGRAFHINu GUMPANV.

Y cleaning the case.

UNITED STATES vPATENT Grimes.

HENRY DfsrREAToR, or GALESBURG, MICHIGAN.

PREsERvlNc-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 518,286, dated April 17, 1894. Application led May 22, 1893. Serial Nox 475,175. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY D. STREATOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at the village of Galesburg, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Preserving-Oase,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in cases for storing bread, cake, tobacco or any other article that requiresmoisture to properly preserve it.

The objects of my invention are to provide a case in which the relative amount of vapor in the air inside may be controlled so that articles of food or other articles requiring moisture can be prevented from drying, and to maintain sufficient circulation to prevent mold. I accomplish these results by the devices shown in the accompanying drawings, in Which Figure l, is a view in perspective of a case embodying my invention. Fig. 2, is a sectional view on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3, isa detail v of the second bottom the slide.

Similar letters of reference referto similar parts throughout the several views.

The case A, may be made in any suitable form butpreferably in the form here shown. The bottom of the case is so constructed as to hold water. When in use the tank so formed is filled With Water. Just above the water line, openings B are made which may be covered with ne wire screen. \Above the opening B a bottom D is located. The outer edge of the bottom D lits air tight on any suitable supports. I prefer not to secure it to the case as a matter of convenience in repairing or The bottom D is made with transverse openings and a slide N is adapted to open or close these openings. The slide is operated bya-leverRwhich is pivoted at fr' and is operated by the arm j controlled by hand Wheel E. In the upper part of the case are openings C which may be opened or closed bythe slides e, c, orother suitable means.

Articles of food or other materials placed in my case are preserved in the moist condition by moving the slide N so that the airis allowed to pass through the bottom D. Vapor and means of operating from the water in the tank, and air entering at B pass up through the bottom D and pass out at the openings C in the top of the case, thus circulating gently over any thing placed in the case. The vapor keeps the air inside of the case moist and the circulation prevents the developmentof mold or other fungi. Any convenient hygrometer inside will indicate the degree of moisture and by moving the slide N, the size of the openings can be adjusted so the amount of vapor can be controlled. When it is desired to make a dry case the opening in the bottom D can be closed and the slides e, e, moved over openings C. When the openings in the bottom D are closed air can pass freely under and out through the openings B, B, and so prevent the water becoming stagnant. The meansof opening and closing the bottom D is not material to my invention. I have shown the most approved manner of doing it, The positionand number of openings C is not material to my invention so long as the openings are above the articles placed inside to be preserved. And the size and number of openings B is not material so long as they permit a circulation over the waterin the tank. The water tank in the bottom of the case is not absolutely necessary but some equivalent may be employed as saturated sponges or felt or any other absorbing substancek may be used to retain the water that will permit it to evaporate. The tank of Water is far preferable to any of these saturated substances except where it is necessary to transport the cases, when of course the absorbent substance will prevent a slopping of the water.

The chief object of my invention is to secure a current of moist air over the articles to be preserved.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a case with a water `tank below and Ventilating openings above, theN bottom D with openings there through in combination with slide N, operated by lever P, pivoted at r and the arm j operated by hand Wheel E to control the size of the openings, substantially as described.

IOO

2. A case with a water tank at the bottom, openings in the sides of the case near the water line of the tank, openings in the upper part of the case, and a partition with adjustable openings between for the purpose specified.

3. A case with a tank formed at the bottom, a removable horizontal partition above, closable openingsin the partition, openings in the case below the partition to permit a circula-` tion of air over the tank, and openings above the partition to permit the escape of air to cause a circulation in the case, for the `purpose speciied.

4E. A case for preserving articles of the class described, composed of a chamber above with ventilator openingsin the top and closable openings in the bottom and suitable means of retaining Water in the case below the bottom of the upper chamber, and openings for the passage of air `below the floor of the upper chamber and over the water retaining device, for the purpose specified.

. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY D. sTaEAToR. [L s] Conn WEsTBRooK, A. D. OHAPPELL. 

